Asthma safe house: Asthma Proofing Your House

A home is supposed to be a safe space for children, some place where they will come to no harm. Making your house a safe space for children with asthma might be a little cumbersome but with a few modifications your child will be breathing much better and you will find a load has been lifted off your shoulders. 

What are the triggers for asthma in children?

Triggers are something which set off or even aggravate an asthma attack. For normal individuals, these are completely harmless but for children with asthma triggers need to be religiously avoided. As asthma is a disease of the respiratory tract, most of the triggers are airborne particles or scents. Most common household triggers include-

• Dust and dirt
• Mites
• Pet hair and dander
• Household pests
• Carpet dust
• Household cleaning chemicals
• Room fresheners and perfumes
• Tobacco smoke
• Incense smoke
• Pollen from the garden

How to make a house safe for my child suffering from asthma?

The basic rule of thumb for making your house safe for a child suffering from asthma is to improve the air quality. The air which the child is breathing needs to be clean, free from physical or chemical irritants and at an ambient temperature. Down below is a list of some simple changes which can drastically improve the air quality around your house and make it asthma friendly. 

What to do:

• Invest in a good humidifier

If you live in an area which has extremely hot weather or in an area which has a naturally dry environment, you may want to consider investing in a good quality HEPA certified humidifier. It will keep the air condition ambient and prevent drying out of the nasal mucosa which leads to trouble breathing.

• Brush pets outside

If you have a pet at home, you should bathe and brush them regularly. This should be done outside in an open area so that the pet fur and dander is not released inside the house or trapped in the area. Keeping them clean will reduce the allergens they carry while doing it outside will keep your home air clean.

• Clean cages and litter boxes

If your pet lives in a cage or has a litter box, it should be cleaned regularly. These should not be kept in the room where the child sleeps or spends most of his/her time.

• Warm wash cushions and soft toys

Wash all cushions and soft toys regularly with warm water and dry them with exposure to direct sunlight only. 

• Expose your mattresses to sunlight

Regularly expose your mattresses to sunlight to prevent growth and kill mites which may be present.

• Clean ceiling fans and air conditioning vents

Ceiling fans and air conditioning vents are two such areas which accumulate dust very easily and in large quantities. They should be cleaned regularly.

• Vacuum and clean furniture regularly

Furniture is one of the easiest places where dust accumulates. Fabric which covers the furniture is a convenient breeding ground for mites as well. It should be cleaned and vacuumed regularly.

• Use damp cloth for dusting and cleaning 

Using a damp cloth instead of a dry one while dusting will trap the dirt and prevent it being released in the air. 

• Use airtight containers

Always use airtight containers to store the food. This will prevent any undue contamination and growth of moulds.

What not to do:

• Smoke indoors

Never smoke indoors. This will provide second hand exposure of smoke to your child which acts as a great trigger.

• Have a plant with strong fragrance 

Strong fragrances which irritate the nasal mucosa may act as a trigger for asthma attacks and must be avoided.

• Use down or feather pillows and comforters

Feather pillows and comforters are a very common household object which carry a couple of triggers including dust and mites. Avoiding them would be best in a house with an asthmatic child.

• Accumulate newspapers and magazines

Such accumulated trash may serve as a breeding ground for cockroaches which are the commonest pest of the household and also an asthma trigger for children.

• Use damp towels

Damp conditions are an invitation to mould, a common trigger for asthma. Keeping any surface or fabric moist for over 48 hours may lead to a rapid growth of mould which must be avoided.

Summing up

Keeping some changes around your house can drastically improve your kids asthma symptoms and bring it under control. It will also improve the quality of life of your child and ensure that both your child and you feel completely safe and secure in the house.